Cooling apparatus for electric generators.



No. 798,156. PATENTED AUG. 29, 1905. B. BIDWELL. COOLING APPARATUS FORELECTRIC GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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No- 798,156. PATENTED AUG. 29, 1905. B. BIDWELL. COOLING APPARATUS FORELECTRIC GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1904.

4 SHEBTSSHBET 2.

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Inventor Z01 21,688 68: agw Z I ttorngj No. 798,156. PATENTED AUG. 29,1905. B. BIDWELL. COOLING APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC GENERATORS. APPLICATIONFILED NOV, 25, 1904.

4 SKEBTS-SHBBT 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENSON BIDVVELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO 'ILMER S. SNOIV, OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 1905.

Application filed November 25, 1904. Serial No. 234,137.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENSON BIDWELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, Illinois, have invented acertain new and usefulImprovement in Cooling Apparatus for Generators, of which the following,taken in connection with the drawings, is a description.

My invention has special relation to cooling the field and armaturecoils and the cores of the same in dynamo-electric generators.

Heretofore difiiculty has been experienced in operating machines of thiskind to their full capacity,'owing to the heat generated in the armatureand field coils.

By means of my invention I am able to keep the armature cooled and torevolve it at a much higher rate of speed, thereby increasing theefiiciency of the machine and correspondingly increasing the output ofelectricity. This result I accomplish by mounting the armature on ahollow shaft, from which is extended hollow tubes connecting with acooling coil or cylinder which passes through the armature. Arefrigerating apparatus is connected to the aforesaid hollow shaft,through which cooling fluid is passed and forced through the aforesaidtubes and cylinder, thence out through another tube and back to thecooling-tank. To this end my invention consists in the novelconstruction of parts hereinafter more particularly described andclaimed.

I have illustrated my invention in preferred form in the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of oneform of my apparatus. Fig. 1 is a simplified form of construction. Fig.2 is an end elevation of the same with part of the armature-casingbroken away to show the fieldcoils. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of thearmature-shaft with the turbine-wheel therein. Fig. 4: is a sideelevation of the cooling-coil which passes through the field-magnets.Fig. 5 is an edge view of the coil shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is acrosssection through a coolingcylinder and a plan view of one of thearmature-disks. Fig. 7 is aview taken on line m of Fig. 1 looking in thedirection of the arrows. Figs. 8 and 9 represent modified forms of thearrangement of the cooling-coils.

In carrying out my invention (referring more particularly now to Fig. 1)A represents the base or support of the generating apparatus. A hollowshaft A is mounted in rollerbearings A A extended from the base A.

A represents the casings of the armature, which may be of the usualconstruction.

B represents the disks of the armature, mounted upon the hollow shaft A,B thefieldcoils, and I3 the commutator, and I) is the insulation betweenthe commutator and shaft.

The casings, armature, field-coils, and commutator being of anywell-known construction a detail description thereof will not here begiven. A pulley A is mounted upon shaft A and is revolved by anysuitable source of power. (Not here shown.)

a represents oil-cups of any well-known type. A cooling-tan k C isdisposed at any convenient location near the machine to be cooled. Thistank contains the refrigerated brine which is used to cool the machine.The reservoir C contains anhydrous ammonia or any other refrigeratingsubstance under pressure of approximately one hundred and seventyfivepounds. The cooling fluid or gas is allowed to pass to the coils c inthe brine-tank C, the How being regulated by valve 0. As the coolingagent (if ammonia or compressed air) passes through the coils it absorbsthe heat from the surrounding solution and passes through thecompression-pump 0 into condensing-coils C and back into reservoir C tobe used over again. If desired, the ammonia or cooling agent may bepassed into the exhaust-cylinder C which can be detached, the gaseousammonia compressed and used over again. By means of this apparatus thebrine for cooling the machine may be kept at any desired temperature.

Journaled in bearing D and fitting into the end of the hollow shaft A isa beveled swiveljoint D. A pipe (Z leads from the reservoir orcooling-tank C and is provided upon the end thereof with ascrew-threaded connection d, which fits into the end of the swivel-jointand through which the brine passes into the hollow shaft A. The fiow ofbrine is regulated by valve (Z A partition d is disposed within thehollow shaft A at approximately the center of the armature.Turbine-wheels D D are secured within the hollow shaft, one upon eachside of the partition (Z Extending from the shaft A within the easing Aare the tubes E E, which extend through the disks B of the armature tothe coolingcoil E. As the brine enters the hollow shaft A it is drawntherethrough by the turbinewheel I). It is prevented from passingthrough the shaft by partition d" and is forced into pipes E E, and thecentrifugal force of the revolving armature drives the brine throughcooling-coil E and out through pipes E into the hollow shaft A upon theopposite side of the partition (Z when it is drawn out of the shaft byturbine-wheel D and forced up through pipe F and back into thecooling-tank C to be used over again. A beveled swivel-joint E, similarto the one previously described, is provided at the opposite end of thehollow shaft, through which the cooling fluid passes upon its return tothe reservoir G.

The field zoils B of the machine are cooled by the coil F, disposed inproximity thereto. The cooling fluid is taken from the tank U throughpipe f, the flow thereof being regulated by valve f. The fluid entersthe cooling-coil through one end thereof, is circulated therethrongh,and forced out at the opposite end through pipe f into pipe F and backto the cooling-tank.

Referring now to the construction shown in Fig. 1, I have a modified orsimplified form of my cooling apparatus, by means of which I am enabledto do away with some of the parts shown in Fig. 1. This construction ismore particularly adapted for use where carbon dioxid,artificially-cooled air, or any other wellknown liquid gas is used. Thecooling fluid is stored under pressure in a tank or reser- Voir I. Ifgas is used as the cooling agent, the turbine-wheels may be dispensedwith entirely. Beveled swivel-joints or union-joints I I are provided ateach end of the hollow shaft. The joint and shaft are provided withinterlocking grooves '11 2", which make it when assembled air and gastight. These interlocking grooves might be provided along the bevelededge of the shaft and joint, if desired; but I prefer the constructionhere shown. The gas is allowed to pass from the compression-tank Ithrough pipe d being controlled by valves t and i", into the hollowshaft A, through branch tubes E into the circular cooling-coil E, outthrough tubes E into shaft A. Thence it passes through pipe F, throughcompression-pump J, into the condensing apparatus J, and back intocompression-tank I, to be used over again. I have shown the pipe Fconnecting the hollow shaft with the condenser and compression-tank;but, as is obvious, this might be dispensed with if it were not desiredto use the cooling-gas over again. hen it is desired to use the gas overagain, it is first passed through the pump J, where it is compressed toa high pressure, and enters the condensing-coils y". A water-supply pipeconveys a stream of cold water upon the condensing-coils y" in thecondenser J. The water from supply-pipe j flows over the coils and coolsthe gas therein, thus liquefying it. It then reenters the reservoir Iand is ready to flow through the various operations again.

The construction of the cooling apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 1 is moredesirable for use upon large machines. lVhere the armature to be cooledis a small one, the branch tubes E E and circular cooling-coil E mightbe dispensed with and the partition (Z removed from shaft A, thusallowing the cooling fluid to pass directly through the hollow shaft A.

In Figs. 8 and 9 l have shown an arrangement of my cooling-coils asapplied either to a(,lra1'nme ring or a Siemens armature. It will beobserved they are so disposed as not to require any change in thearrangement of the armature-disks. v

The construction shown in Fig. 8 is more desirable for application tothe Siemens armature. Two partitions (Z' and (Z are secured within thehollow shaft A with the turbinewheels I) I)". The cooling fluid passesfrom the hollow shaft A through pipes g into the cooling-coil G, whichis disposed upon one side of the armature in proximity to the disks B.From the coil it is passed through pipes into the hollow shaft A. It isthen passed through pipes /t to the cooling-coil (ur upon the oppositeside of the armature-disks and in proximity thereto. From thiscooling-coil it is forced into pipes 7t back into the hollow shaft A andreturned to the cooling-tank, as previously described.

Fig. 9 represents my cooling apparatus as applied to a Gramme-ringarmature. The partition (1 and the turbines I)" and I) are disposedwithin the hollow shaft A, as in Fig. 1. A circular cooling-coil E isarranged inside of the armature-disks'B and supported in position by thespider 0. Branch tubes E extend from the hollow shaft to thecooling-coil upon one side of the partition, and tubes E extend fromsaid cooling-coil E back to the hollow shaft.- The operation is the sameas that described in Fig. 1.

It is obvious that various arrangements other than those I have shownmight be made to secure the desired effect of the coolingcoils upon thearmature of a dynamo without departing from the spirit of my invention,which consists, essentially, in arranging coils containing a coolingagent in such proximity to the heat-generating surfaces of a dynamo ormotor as to produce an assimilative effect thereon, thereby enabling themachine to be revolved at a much higher rate of speed and proportionallyincreasing its output.

I have shown and described turbine-wheels within the hollow shaft; but awater-wheel or Archimedean screw or any other propeller would answer thesame purpose as well, and by my invention I contemplate such use.

IIO

I do not desire to be limited to the use of anhydrous ammonia, carbondioxid, or the cooling liquids herein mentioned to be used in thisapparatus, asI contemplate the use of any well-known refrigeratingmedium.

I claim 1. In a dynamo-electric machine, a hollow partitioned shaft, acircular tube or cooling cylinder in proximity to the core of thearmature of said machine, branch pipes connecting said cooling-cylinderwith the aforesaid hollow shaft, and means for forcing a cooling fluidthrough said shaft and tubes, substantially as described.

2. In a dynamo-electric machine, a hollow partitioned shafthaving anarmature mounted thereon, tubes connecting said shaft with acooling-reservoir, a turbine-wheel disposed near the entrance of saidshaft for drawing the cooling fluid therein, branch tubes leading fromsaid hollow shaft, said tubes disposed in proximity to thearmature-disks, means for forcing the cooling fluid through said branchtubes and back into the hollow shaft, and means for returning it,tothe'cool ing-reservoi r, substantially as described.

3. In a dynamo-electric machine, a hollow partitioned shaft,propeller-wheels secured in said shaft upon either side of thepartition, substantially as described.

4. In a dynamo-electric machine, a hollow partitioned shaft,propeller-wheels secured in said shaft upon either side of thepartition, an

armature mounted on said shaft, a coolingcylinder disposed in proximityto the disks of said armature, and branch tubes I forming communicationbetween said cooling-cylinder and shaft, substantially as described.

5. In a dynamo-electric machine a hollow partitioned shaft, one end ofsaid shaft connected with the cooling-chamber of a refrigeratingapparatus, an armature mounted upon the aforesaid hollow shaft,cooling-cylinders disposed in close proximity to the disks of saidarmature, branch tubes connecting said cooling-cylinders with the hollowshaft, means for drawing the cooling fluid into said shaft at one end,and means for discharging it into a return-pipe at the opposite end,substantially as described.

6. In a dynamo-electric machine, a hollow partitioned shaft, havingbeveled swivel-joints at either end thereof, propellers secured in saidshaft, and means for connecting said shaft with the-cooling-chamber of arefrigerating apparatus, substantially as described.

In a dynamo-electric machine, an armature mounted upon a hollowpartitioned shaft, a cooling-cylinder mounted in proximity to theperiphery of said armature, branch tubes connecting said cylinder withthe hollow shaft, and means for connecting said shaft with thecooling-chamber of a refrigerating apparatus, substantially asdescribed.

8. In a dynamo-electric machine, an armature mounted upon a hollowpartitioned shaft, said shaft connected with the cooling-chamber of arefrigerating apparatus, cooling-coils disposed in proximity to thedisks of said armature and having communication with said hollow shaft,means for forcing a cooling fluid into said cooling-coils, and means forwithdrawing it therefrom, substantially as described.

9. In a device of the class described the combination of adynamo-electric machine with a refrigerating apparatus comprising acooling-tank, cooling-coils passing through connection with saidc'oolingcoils, substantially as described.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of adynamo-electric machine with a refrigerating apparatus comprising acooling-tank, cooling-coils passing through said tank, and a cylinderhaving connection with said cooling-coils, substantially as described.

ll. In a device of the class described the combination of adynamo-electric machine with a refrigerating apparatus comprising acooling-tank, cooling-coils passing through said tank, a cylindercontaining a refrigerating fluid adapted to pass through said coils, anda compression and condensing apparatus adapted to condense and returnthe refrigerating fluid to the cylinder after it has passed through thecooling-coils, substantially as described.

12. In a device of the class described the combination of adynamo-electric machine, a hollow partitioned shaft upon which thearmature of said machineis mounted, stationary propeller-wheels disposedwithin said shaft, beveled swiveljoints at one or both ends of saidshaft, pipes or tubes connecting said shaft with a reservoir containinga coolinggas, substantially as described.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of adynamo-electric machine, a hollow partitioned shaft upon which thearmature of said machine is mounted, grooved abutments formed upon theinside of said hollow shaft a short distance from the ends thereof, saidshaft being beveled from said abutment to the end thereof, a beveledswiveljoint having grooves upon the inner end thereof which are adaptedto interlock with the aforesaid grooved abutments to form an air and gastight-joint, substantially as described.

14. In a device of the class described the combination of adynamo-electric machine with a hollow partitioned shaft upon which thearmature of said machine is mounted, cooling-coils disposed in proximityto said armature, a grooved abutment near the end i of said shaft, abeveled swivel-joint having said tank, and an ammonia-cylinder havinggrooves upon the inner end thereof adapted I r uecification in thepresence of two subscribto interlock With the grooves in said abutlngWitnesses.

ment, said joint having connection with a BENSON BIDWVELL reservoircontaining a cooling-gas \vhlch 1s 5 adapted to pass through theaforesaid shaft Witnesses:

and cooling-coils, substantially asdescribed. ROBERT THOMAS CLEGG,

In testimony whereof I have signed this CHARLES 1. COBB.

